Stop building dams on rivers to save them : Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, Jyotish Pitha

‘Nadi (river) Samvad’ programme at Maha Kumbha Mela

(From left) Sadguru Dr Charudatta Pingale, Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, Dy General of UP Police Jugal Kishore Tiwari

Prayagraj – “Several attempts have been made so far at Government and social level, to purify waters of Rivers Ganga and Yamuna but they have not been successful. The water levels of rivers at many pilgrimage sites are so low that it is not possible for Sadhus, Saints etc. to perform various rituals at these places. It is necessary to keep the flow of all rivers, including Ganga, natural and pure for their existence; else they get contaminated. Still, dams are built on rivers; therefore, both the Governments and society, are responsible for the pollution of rivers. It is necessary to stop building banks and dams on rivers. Besides, along with the plastic usage ban, manufacturing of the plastic should also be banned,” stated Shankaracharya Jagadguru Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati of Jyotish Pitha while speaking in the programme held on 20 ^th January under ‘Nadi Samvad Abhiyan’.

Sadguru Dr Charudatta Pingale, national guide of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), Nira Mishra, a social activist from Delhi working for cleaner Yamuna, Mahamandaleshwar Mahadev Babaji were some of the other dignitaries who shared the dais with Shankaracharya. The programme was organised with the initiative of Dy General of UP Police Jugal Kishore Tiwari.

To engrave spiritual importance of rivers in Hindus through education of Dharma is the best solution to save rivers : Sadguru Dr Charudatta Pingale

Sadguru Dr Charudatta Pingale stated in his guidance, “River Ganga, also referred to as ‘Mother Ganga’, is the spiritual and physical lifeline of India. She is an indivisible part of Sanatan Hindu culture and is believed to cleanse all sins and help attain salvation, which is supreme for all of us. Not only Ganga but it is necessary to save all the seven rivers. This significance of Ganga and other rivers is required to be taught to every Hindu, by going door to door and imparting education of Dharma. The Government should make such arrangements. Many places of pilgrimage and temples are located on the banks of Ganga; therefore, Ganga is very important for Hindus for cleansing of sins, performing spiritual practice and undertaking penance. In fact, the spiritual importance of rivers and the need to save rivers should be included in the school curriculum. Ganga banks should be cleared of alcohol and meat. It is required for purification of the river. The best way of saving Ganga is that the Government, Administration and every constituent of society does its duty and contributes to this mission. We should not contaminate river water and stop others from doing so.”